"His attitude of course," said Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to the assembled media at a press conference at Carrington earlier today, Friday, when questioned as to what attributes most spoke out to the Dutchman when considering Wayne Rooney for the vacant full-time captaincy role.

Rooney follows Nemanja Vidic as the leader on the pitch, however, van Gaal revealed part of a conversation he had with the Englishman was over off-the-field conduct and that it was imperative he behave in a manner befitting of a player with his new-found status at Old Trafford.

"His attitude on the pitch and on the training ground," continued van Gaal, in a statement that is reminiscent of one of his predecessors - Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I have explained to him that outside of the pitch it is very important for me - he accepted the responsibility," the Manchester United boss said.

"I admired how he trained and how he performed in the pre-season games and also to his fellow players. Let it fly, I say. Let it fly, as in the US he scored a lot of goals, created great amount of assists so I want to see that Wayne as well [when he has the armband]."

Manchester United play Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 16.